San Francisco Expensive? Think $4 Toast

Petition calls on mayor to get city's cost of living under control

(Newser)
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A group in San Francisco has launched a petition urging the mayor to get the city's cost of living under control—and $4 toast is at the heart of it, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. This all started several weeks ago with a blog post in Venture Beat by Jolie O'Dell who complained about shelling out $6 for a piece of toast and a cup of coffee at a local eatery. O'Dell blamed the city's well-paid tech community for driving up prices at the expense of middle- and working-class families, laying out a cycle that involves the rise of "bourgie businesses."

The concept of $4 toast has resonated since, and Eddie Kurtz of the group Courage Campaign said it inspired the recent petition. "It feels like there's a widening sense that this is out of control," he says. "It feels like there's just a widening gap, and regular people who often don't think about these things are having sticker shock about trying to find an apartment and pay the bills." The petition criticizes Mayor Ed Lee for not taking "meaningful action," though a spokesperson for Lee counters that his support of the tech industry will save the city, not doom it.

there are plenty of places in SF that charge far more reasonable prices. if you don't want to pay out the ass, find a cheaper restaurant. problem solved

Joy Johnson

Nov 9, 2013 6:59 PM CST

I had to leave the one city I truly loved because of cost of living. Because of my divorce I was unable to survive on my own with two children. My rent and childcare left me $800.00 short a month and after 8 months of trying to make ends meet, I left my heart. That was 2002.
I miss the city so much!
However the home I own now is twice the size and half the cost (per month) and over $324,000. less in cost. I feel for those left there. I would never have left if I didn't have to.

john

Nov 9, 2013 2:06 AM CST

What did you people expect. You are paying a "living wage" to unskilled workers, which doesn't include the San Francisco Health Care tax. I rarely visit SF anymore. Between the outrageous parking rates, the high cost of eating, paying for a bag at the museum when I bought a souvenir, and it goes on and on... Last time I was there I didn't leave a tip. In SF they get paid enough for the work they do. It's not my problem it costs so much to live there. I have enough sense to live where I can afford which by the way is not where I would like to live.

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